Manicuring device



Feb. 13, 1951 M. B. BERNARD 2,541,459

MANICURING DEVICE Filed Aug. 13, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIGL-ES FIGr-A- FIGrS mildred b bemr'zard SSrzvenbor BN5 Clbborrzeg Feb. 13, 1951 M. B. BERNARD MANICURING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 15, 1948 INVENTOR. MILDRED B. BERNARD Patented Feb. 13, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention deals with a manicuring device. More specifically, it relates to a manicuring pencil for cuticle and nail treatment.

In my co-pending application Serial No. 684,709, filed on July 19, 1946, under my former name of Mildred R. Bates, of which this application is av continuation-in-part, there is described a manicuring pencil comprising a hollow barrel in which is inserted a long wad or stick Of absorbent material, a portion of which protrudes from the hollow tapered tip of the pencil, the tip preferably being moistened with treating fluid prior to the manicuring operation. After use, the stick or wad is pushed out further, and the used portion is cut off with scissors or other suitable tools. The object of the present invention is to provide, in conjunction with the barrel assembly, a novel means for propelling the stick of absorbent material out of the barrel without necessity of handling the used tip with the fingers.

The invention may be more readily understood by reference to the drawing in which Figure 1 depicts a top view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, while a side view thereof is shown in Figure 2. Figure 3 illustrates an isometric side view of one type of clutch suitable for propelling the stick, while Figures 4 and 5 are par-' tial similar views of modifications of such a clutch. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along VIVI of Figure l and Figure 7 is another cross-sectional view taken along VIIVII of Figure 2, and viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows. Another modification of the rear por-' tion of the barrel structure is illustrated in the partial side view, partly in cross section, in Figure 8, while Figure 9 is a partial side view, also partly in cross-section, of another modification of the forward end of the barrel. Similar numerals refer to similar parts in the various figures.

Referring again to the drawing, numeral I represents the barrel portion, the outer surface of which is turned down at the forward end 2 to accommodate sliding sleeve I2 of the clutch. The forward end is also tapered at 3, the taper terminating with opening 9 through which end III of absorbent stick I is propelled.

Sleeve I2 of the clutch is preferably made of spring metal, such as spring steel, Phosphor bronze, and the like, and preferably is split at 22 to provide a fairly tight fit around barrel portion 2. Projecting from the forward end of sleeve I2 is narrow member I3 terminating with a downwardly bent engaging tip 2| which protrudes through centrally disposed slot I4 cut through the barrel wall 2 along the main aXis of the barrel.

As engaging tip 2| projects through slot I I, it presses against stick I. Tip 2! is pointed in the forward direction, so that when sleeve I2 is moved forward with the fingers, tip 2 I engages absorbent stick I and propels it forward until member I3 contacts slot end I5, thereby causing tip I8 to emerge further (as shown by the dotted portion in Fig. 2) and thus allowing a portion thereof to be cut off. On the return stroke of sleeve I2, tip 2I disengages from stick I and slides back along its surface for further propulsion of the stick. Engaging tip 2! of the clutch may be a sharp forwardly pointed end 2| or a downwardly and forwardly directed tip 2 I In all such variations the tip is shaped so as to engage the stick when it is moved forwardly and to disengage and move over the stick when it is moved backwardly.

Outlet surface 8 of the inner bore of barrel I may be constricted slightly so as to grip stick I more tightly at the forward end, whereas the bore 6 at the opposite end may be somewhat loose.

Barrel I may be of one piece as in Fig. 8, with stick I being inserted through end opening 9. However, it is preferred to split barrel I at 5 (as in Figs. 1 and 2) to facilitate insertion of stick I, the rear end II of which projects beyond the split when inserted in the barrel, and serves for holding stick 'I and forcing it forwardly through opening 9.

The two barrel pieces I and 4 may be engaged by friction fitting members I! and I9, or by other similar means. Bore 6 is preferabl extended to near the rear end of section 4 at 28 to allow sufficient space for housing stick I. Rear end I8 of barrel I may be shaped into a hooked point which would be suitable for cleaning finger nails and serve otherwise as a manicuring instrument.

Although a circula bore in the barrel and a cylindrical stick are preferred, various shapes of sticks and bores may be employed, provided there is no impedance to the movement of the stick in the forward direction. Stick :1 is preferably made of shaped and compressed cotton fibers which may be coated with a cementitious hardenable material, such as a thin film of vinyl or other plastic, or glue, gelatin, shellac, or the like. The stick is preferably flexible and absorbent on the outside as well as inside.

In the operation of the device, barrel I is opened at split 5 and stick I is inserted therein until tip I0 projects out of end 9. Thereafter, end 4 is attached to barrel I and the device is ready for use. After use, sleeve I2 is pushed forwardly on surface 2 with the thumb so that tip 2! engaging stick 7 moves stick '5 and tip If." projects further and may be partially cut off. Thereafter, sleeve 12 is moved back until its rear edge 23 contacts shoulder l6 which acts as a stop therefor. The device is then ready for use again.

It is to be understood that other variations over those disclosed are possible. For example, tip 2! may be made retractible by spring action (as member I3 in Fig. 9), and made to contact stick I by finger pressure, whereupon it becomes disengaged when the pressure is relieved.

I claim:

1. In a manicuring device comprising a pencilshaped barrel having an inner bore, said barrel being tapered at least at one end, the inner bore terminating at the tapered end, and an absorbent stick sliding in said bore and projecting with a tip therefrom at the tapered'en'd, the invention comprising a centrally disposed groove through the wall of the forward end of the barrel in the direction of theaxis of the barrel and communicating with said bore, a sleeve slidably disposed around the barrel just behind the groove, a spring member projecting forwardly from said sleeve and downwardly'through said groove, and a sharp forwardly directed engaging point on the end of said member, pressin on said stick with a light pressure thereby making it possible to propel said stick forwardly by a forward movement of said 4. sleeve and disengage said point from said stick on the backward movement of said sleeve.

2. A manicuring device according to claim 1 in which a stop is mounted on said barrel behind said sleeve to act as a stop therefor at the end of its backward stroke.

3. A manicuring device according to claim 2 in which the stop comprises a shoulder on said barrel.

4. A manicuring device according to claim 1 in which the spring member projecting from the sleeve is a narrow strip projecting forwardly and then downwardly through said groove.

5. A manicuring device according to claim 1 in which the rear section of the barrel is split by a friction joint, thereby enabling insertion of the stick from the rear of the barrel.

MILDRED B. BERNARD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,340,665 Jacobs Feb. 1, 1944 2,442,051 Luscri May 25, 1948 

